Home
Tempests can be life threatening. Here are some guidelines/rules/tips:
In general, it is not very likely to be struck by a lightning bolt. Yet your behavior is responsible for the likelihood of getting struck. Keep that in mind.
====
1. THE TWO MAIN THREATS OF THUNDERSTORMS
1.1) Getting struck directly, lightning bolts striking your body
1.2) Step voltage: If lightning bolts strike an objects next to you, electric potential spreads around the object and can be deadly
====
2. GENERAL MISTAKES
2.1) Staying out in the open if you have a chance of finding shelter
2.2) Seeking shelter under single standing trees
2.3) Staying on high grounds
====
3. HOW TO RECOGNIZE A TEMPEST
3.1) Temperature is declining (hard)
3.2) (Wind) blasts occurring
3.3) Muggy, heavy weather indicates storms
3.4) Therefore sweating at low temperatures and a oppressive feeling indicate storms hard decline in temperature + windboen
3.5) Mosquitos tend to be more aggressive than in regular situations when storms are approaching
3.6) Shortly before a tempest, birds stop singing
3.7) Dark clouds and/or a general darkening of the sky are an indicator of a tempest
3.
First, gentle rain appears like veils hanging from these clouds
3.9) Lightning and thunder
====
4. ESTIMATING THE DANGER OF TEMPESTS & CALCULATING DISTANCES
Light travels faster as sound, so there always is a time interval between recognizing the bolt and hearing the thunder.
The speed of sound is 343m/s
That means that one second indicates a distance of 343m between you and the tempest
Always count the seconds between bolt and thunder. Some examples:
1 second interval = 343m distance
10 second interval = 3430m distance (or 3,43 km)
21 second interval = 7000m distance (or 7km)
General rule: If you count 10 seconds or less, the tempest must be considered close and therefore dangerous.
IMPORTANT: Always measure the distance in intervals of about 5 minutes to estimate whether the storm is closing in on you, or moving away from you. If intervals are getting shorter, the distance between you and the storm decreases. If the intervals are getting bigger, the storm is moving away from you.
====
5. GENERAL RULES IN CASES OF THUNDERSTORM
5.1. Avoiding direct lightning bolt strikes:
5.1.1) Avoid flat terrain! Lightning bolts always search for the closest impact point, therefore the highest point in your surroundings is the most likely point to experience the impact.
5.1.2) Therefore: Stay low, search for pits, don't stand out in the open where your body marks the highest point!
5.1.3) Make sure the pits are not moist/wet! Don't stay in the water! Avoid moist ground!
5.1.4) Always descend from hills!
5.1.5) Always make sure you are as low as you are small, so curl!
5.1.6) Drop all metal items! Throw backpacks, gear and other metal objects far away from you! Best is some 50m or more.
5.2. Avoiding step voltage
5.2.1) Electricity searches an entry- and exit-point in order to be able to flow through your body. Always make sure you are touching the ground with an area of your body as small possible!
5.2.2) Never sit on your butt or lie on the ground!
5.2.3) Make sure your feet are touching each other in order to prevent flow of currency! Crouching is best.
5.2.4) If possible, use isolating materials to stand/crouch on, for example: Backpacks without metal items in them, sleeping mats, ponchos without eyelets, and so on
5.3. Group behavior
5.3.1) Keep distance in between individuals - at least 1m. 2m or more are better and safer.
5.3.2) If one individual gets struck, prepare for quick first aid measures. The electric currency should leave the individuals body roughly after 2-3 seconds. Some give the advice to wait until the threat of reoccurring lightning bolt strikes has passed before helping. Observe the situation carefully.
====
6. FIRST AID
6.1) If possible, call 911 and inform rescue service.
6.2) If possible, begin with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in case of cardiac arrest.
6.3) Do not remove burned clothing unless necessary!
6.4) Treat shock if necessary - lay the victim down with head slightly lower than torso and legs.
6.5) 5. Follow Up: The emergency medical team will assess the person's condition. At the hospital, the person will be examined for internal or neurological injuries and burns.
In general, it is not very likely to be struck by a lightning bolt. Yet your behavior is responsible for the likelihood of getting struck. Keep that in mind.
====
1. THE TWO MAIN THREATS OF THUNDERSTORMS
1.1) Getting struck directly, lightning bolts striking your body
1.2) Step voltage: If lightning bolts strike an objects next to you, electric potential spreads around the object and can be deadly
====
2. GENERAL MISTAKES
2.1) Staying out in the open if you have a chance of finding shelter
2.2) Seeking shelter under single standing trees
2.3) Staying on high grounds
====
3. HOW TO RECOGNIZE A TEMPEST
3.1) Temperature is declining (hard)
3.2) (Wind) blasts occurring
3.3) Muggy, heavy weather indicates storms
3.4) Therefore sweating at low temperatures and a oppressive feeling indicate storms hard decline in temperature + windboen
3.5) Mosquitos tend to be more aggressive than in regular situations when storms are approaching
3.6) Shortly before a tempest, birds stop singing
3.7) Dark clouds and/or a general darkening of the sky are an indicator of a tempest
3.
First, gentle rain appears like veils hanging from these clouds3.9) Lightning and thunder
====
4. ESTIMATING THE DANGER OF TEMPESTS & CALCULATING DISTANCES
Light travels faster as sound, so there always is a time interval between recognizing the bolt and hearing the thunder.
The speed of sound is 343m/s
That means that one second indicates a distance of 343m between you and the tempest
Always count the seconds between bolt and thunder. Some examples:
1 second interval = 343m distance
10 second interval = 3430m distance (or 3,43 km)
21 second interval = 7000m distance (or 7km)
General rule: If you count 10 seconds or less, the tempest must be considered close and therefore dangerous.
IMPORTANT: Always measure the distance in intervals of about 5 minutes to estimate whether the storm is closing in on you, or moving away from you. If intervals are getting shorter, the distance between you and the storm decreases. If the intervals are getting bigger, the storm is moving away from you.
====
5. GENERAL RULES IN CASES OF THUNDERSTORM
5.1. Avoiding direct lightning bolt strikes:
5.1.1) Avoid flat terrain! Lightning bolts always search for the closest impact point, therefore the highest point in your surroundings is the most likely point to experience the impact.
5.1.2) Therefore: Stay low, search for pits, don't stand out in the open where your body marks the highest point!
5.1.3) Make sure the pits are not moist/wet! Don't stay in the water! Avoid moist ground!
5.1.4) Always descend from hills!
5.1.5) Always make sure you are as low as you are small, so curl!
5.1.6) Drop all metal items! Throw backpacks, gear and other metal objects far away from you! Best is some 50m or more.
5.2. Avoiding step voltage
5.2.1) Electricity searches an entry- and exit-point in order to be able to flow through your body. Always make sure you are touching the ground with an area of your body as small possible!
5.2.2) Never sit on your butt or lie on the ground!
5.2.3) Make sure your feet are touching each other in order to prevent flow of currency! Crouching is best.
5.2.4) If possible, use isolating materials to stand/crouch on, for example: Backpacks without metal items in them, sleeping mats, ponchos without eyelets, and so on
5.3. Group behavior
5.3.1) Keep distance in between individuals - at least 1m. 2m or more are better and safer.
5.3.2) If one individual gets struck, prepare for quick first aid measures. The electric currency should leave the individuals body roughly after 2-3 seconds. Some give the advice to wait until the threat of reoccurring lightning bolt strikes has passed before helping. Observe the situation carefully.
====
6. FIRST AID
6.1) If possible, call 911 and inform rescue service.
6.2) If possible, begin with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in case of cardiac arrest.
6.3) Do not remove burned clothing unless necessary!
6.4) Treat shock if necessary - lay the victim down with head slightly lower than torso and legs.
6.5) 5. Follow Up: The emergency medical team will assess the person's condition. At the hospital, the person will be examined for internal or neurological injuries and burns.
